Obama administration to sell F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan

Senior US officials have announced that the Obama administration is planning to sell eight F-15 jets to Pakistan.  The arms sale goes on, despite Pakistan’s expansion of its nuclear weapons program and ties to the Taliban, particularly the Haqqani Network.

In a report released by the Federation of American Scientists, Pakistan “has expanded its arsenal to 110 to 130 warheads, up from a range of 90 to 110 four years ago.” According to Pakistani foreign secretary, the country “had built ‘low-yield nuclear weapons to counter India.’”

Not only does this sale add to Pakistan’s arsenal of fighter jets, but it symbolizes the nature of the relationship between the US and Pakistan. Though Pakistan can use these jets as a means to attempt to keep up with India’s armament capabilities, the Obama administration appears to be overlooking this possibility for financial gains and strategic coordination to combat terrorism.

Russia continues targeting US-backed rebels; 80% not IS

Despite reports that Russia is mainly targeting the Islamic State, it has persistently targeted US-backed rebels in Syria. In fact, Reuters reported that 4/5 of Russia’s airstrikes are not targeting IS. According to Reuters’ analysis of Russian Ministry of Defense data, the areas targeted are those occupied by groups opposed to Assad, including US-backed rebels and allies and al-Qaeda offshoots such as al-Nusra.

This statistic clearly undermines Moscow’s proclamation of fighting the Islamic State and rather supports claims that its operation is signed to bolster Assad. Alexander Golts, a Moscow-based defense columnist, declared “if you look at the map, you can easily understand that they are not fighting Islamic State but other opposition groups” and “the main goal of these air strikes is supporting ground offensives by the Syrian army.”

Russian military documents show that some targets were located in Syria’s western Latakia and Idlib province, regions that are not in IS territory. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights has reported that Russian airstrikes have killed over 100 civilians.

Disagreement about threat level as Taliban closes in on Kabul

In briefly taking the northern provincial capital of Kunduz 14 years after being ousted from power, the Taliban have shown staying power while waging their insurgency across Afghanistan.  Although they eventually withdrew in order to reduce their casualties, they remain active throughout most of the country, including the Deh Sabz district on the outskirts of Kabul.  Residents report that they operate with impunity and in the open, raising fears that they may be preparing an assault on the Afghan capital.

However, Afghan security officials minimize the Taliban threat, with the Interior Ministry and the Deh Sabz district chief flatly denying that they are present in Deh Sabz.  On the other hand, Ted Callahan, an American security official, worries that the Taliban presence so close to Kabul may lead to panic among the civilian population, which has been the jihadist strategy all along.

American soldier killed in joint Kurdish-American hostage rescue operation in Iraq   

The first American casualty since the official troop withdrawal in 2011 was killed in action in a joint hostage rescue operation against IS in the northern Iraqi town of Hawija in Kirkuk province. American Special Forces took part in the raid, which resulted in the liberation of 70 hostages, as the Kurdish Peshmerga forces continue to inflict losses on IS.

Officials report that at least a dozen IS jihadists were killed in the operation.  The jihadists have been in charge of the prison where the raid took place as they battle the Peshmerga for control of the oil-rich Kirkuk province.

Six killed in eastern Congo,  ADF believed responsible

Six bodies have been found with stab wounds and bullet holes in northeastern Republic of Congo. It is suspected to be the work of Allied Democratic Forces, which is comprised of Ugandan jihadists operating mainly on the Congolese side of the border for the past two decades. A commander of the Congolese army has spoken out anonymously, confirming the death toll and presumed ADF involvement. He added that the bodies were heavily decomposed.

The bodies were found in the village of Kamakombu, more than 19 miles northeast of the territorial capital of Beni. More than 500 people have been killed in overnight massacres in Beni since last October. Most of the killings are done with machetes and hatchets. A UN panel has said in a report this week that many of the killings it investigated did not appear consistent with known ADF attacks.

Mexico makes key arrests in Guzman’s escape

Mexican officials say that they have arrested six people connected to the escape of fugitive drug cartel leader, Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman. Guzman escaped back in July from a high security prison through a specially dug tunnel. His brother in law, one of two pilots who flew Guzman back to his home state, and a member of his legal team have all been arrested. None of the suspects have been identified by name.

Guzman’s brother in law had supervised the construction of the escape tunnel and organized his transport. Attorney General Arely Gomez affirmed that after his escape, Guzman traveled to the city of Queretaro, from where he caught a small plane to his home state of Sinaloa. Guzman was first arrested in Guatemala in 1993, spending nearly a decade in a maximum security Mexican jail before escaping and spending 13 years on the run before being arrested in 2014. More than 20 people who worked at the prison have already been arrested for their links to Guzman’s escape.

Other stories we’re following:

US and Russia to meet face to face for first time since Russian Syrian air operations began

US-led coalition announces ‘new phase’ against IS

Turkish president blames Syrian intelligence, IS, and PKK for Ankara bombing

Pakistani president to meet Obama to discuss nuclear arsenal and other issues

Violence continues in Israel as Hamas carries out stabbing attacks

Saudi Arabia seeking death penalty for Shia protesters

Bahrain charges 24 with forming IS cell

Hamas strengthens ties to South Africa

Sudan releases some supplies, including food, to Darfur peacekeepers

Robert Mugabe awarded Chinese Nobel prize

Obama administration to sell F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan, reinforcing partnership

80% of Russia’s airstrikes not targeting IS

Clinton testifying on 2012 Benghazi consulate attack

Russia to expand military presence in Kurit Islands claimed by Japan

US shipping advanced radar systems to Ukraine, countering Russia

US, Russia to meet at Syria conference

Brazil opposition gathers impeachment case against Rousseff

Mexico reopens investigation into 43 missing students